crypto-

Phonetic: /ˈkrɪptoʊ-/

Part of Speech: noun

Category: To be determined

In modern usage, technologies underlain by cryptography using cryptographic tools and processes (such as public/private key pairs) that enable innovative functionality and security.

Definition source: Mapachurro probably wrote this.

Sample sentence

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Additional definitions

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Extended definition

A Greek prefix, meaning 'hidden'. Modern usage comes from 'cryptography'. Public blockchain networks use cryptography, hence why the field at large is referred to by the prefix alone.

This word came from... the ether

Date first recorded: Unknown

Commentary

Of course, 'cryptocurrency' often gets shortened to simply 'crypto', so this emerging field is full of instances where 'crypto' is used at shorthand for any given number of products, technologies, or programs.

Compare with web3, decentralized web, or dweb. With the emergence of the term 'Web3', arguably a distinction has begun to be made between 'crypto', referring to projects that use cryptography in some way, and those that rely only on decentralization.

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